Recent Advances in ZnO Nanomaterial-Mediated Biological Applications and Action Mechanisms

Abstract

In recent years, with the deepening research, metal zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials have become a popular research object in the biological field, particularly in biomedicine and food safety, which is attributed to their unique physicochemical properties such as high surface area and volume ratio, luminescence effect, surface characteristics and biological activities. Herein, this review provides a detailed overview of the ZnO nanomaterial-mediated biological applications that involve anti-bacterial, anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, skin care, biological imaging and food packaging applications. Importantly, the corresponding action mechanisms of ZnO nanomaterials are pointed. Additionally, the structure and structure-dependent physicochemical properties, the common synthesis methods and the biosafety of ZnO nanoparticles are revealed in brief. Finally, the significance and future challenges of ZnO nanomaterial applications are concluded.

Keywords: ZnO; action mechanism; biological applications; nanomaterials.

Figure 1

The biological applications of ZnO nanomaterials. Anti-bacteria: Adapted with permission [7]. Copyright 2019, Elsevier B.V. Anti-tumor: Adapted with permission [8]. Copyright 2017, Elsevier B.V. Anti-inflammation: Adapted with permission [9]. Copyright 2022, Frontiers Media S.A. Skin protection: Adapted with permission [10]. Copyright 2022, Elsevier B.V. Bio-imaging: Adapted with permission [11]. Copyright 2017, Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Food packaging: Adapted with permission [12]. Copyright 2020, Elsevier B.V.

Figure 2

The structure-dependent properties of ZnO nanoparticles.

Figure 3

The anti-bacterial mechanism of ZnO nanomaterials.

Figure 4

The anti-cancer mechanisms of ZnO nanomaterials.

Figure 5

The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of ZnO nanomaterials.

Figure 6

The sunscreen mechanism of ZnO nanomaterials.

Figure 7

The bio-imaging mechanisms of ZnO nanomaterials.